The Importance of Immunizations Before Boarding Your Pet

The Importance of Immunizations Before Boarding Your Pet

You’re going on vacation soon and need to board your pet while you’re away. Making sure your furry friend is up-to-date on vaccinations is crucial before dropping them off at a kennel or pet boarding facility. Proper immunizations will help keep your pet happy and healthy while they’re staying elsewhere.

Core Vaccines to Prioritize

There are some vital immunizations you’ll want to ensure your pet has received before their upcoming stay. These core vaccines recommended for boarding give protection against highly contagious and potentially fatal diseases. The rabies vaccine is essential for any dog or cat, as rabies is fatal and can spread between animals and people. It’s required by law in most areas. The rabies vaccine is considered a core vaccine for both dogs and cats.

Distemper, adenovirus, parainfluenza, and parvovirus are core immunizations for dogs. Protecting against these diseases through vaccines can prevent serious illness in crowded boarding environments. Kennel cough vaccines are also critical before boarding or daycare.

For cats, panleukopenia virus, calicivirus, rhinotracheitis virus, and rabies vaccines are all core immunizations suggested before boarding. These help shield cats from highly infectious diseases that spread swiftly between cats in close contact.

Timing Matters

You’ll want to ensure your pet gets these key vaccines within the recommended timeframe before boarding. Most core immunizations need to be given every 1 to 3 years for adequate protection. Consult your veterinarian on the specifics.

Kennel cough vaccines should ideally be administered within 6 months of boarding dogs. And completing the initial vaccine series for puppies and kittens is important before exposing them to other pets at a facility. An annual exam can help verify your adult pet’s vaccines are current.

Review Facility Requirements

Specific facilities may have varying policies, so be sure to review the vaccine requirements where you plan to board your pet. Many mandate rabies and kennel cough for dogs plus rabies for cats. But some may have a more extensive list of required core vaccines proof is needed for.

Knowing their guidelines ahead of time allows you to schedule vet visits to meet these well in advance of your travel dates. You certainly don’t want to be scrambling to get shots done at the last minute! Most places will ask for written proof from your vet that your pet is properly immunized.

Exceptions May Apply

Certain circumstances may warrant exceptions to vaccine requirements for boarding pets. Some facilities make allowances if your pet has a pre-existing health condition that prevents vaccination.

A letter from your veterinarian is usually needed to confirm it’s medically advised to forgo specific immunizations. Some pets may receive titer tests to demonstrate antibody levels confirming immunity. Each facility has its own exception process if this pertains to your situation.

The Importance of Immunizations Before Boarding Your Pet
The Importance of Immunizations Before Boarding Your Pet

Peace of Mind While You’re Away

Ultimately, ensuring your pet is up-to-date on core immunizations takes priority before boarding or visiting doggy daycare. Proper vaccines keep your pet safe around other animals and provide you with reassurance.

You’ll worry less knowing you took measures to protect your furry companion while you’re out of town. Avoid last minute stresses by planning ahead and talking to your vet. Confirm which shots are needed, so your pet stays happy and healthy while boarded at a facility such as PawHootz (https://pawhootz.com/).

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